Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gay Corner
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2026
1. Gay Corner Marker
It began with the burial of Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient Leonard Matlovich whose 1975 challenge of the U.S. military’s ban on gay service members made national headlines, including the cover of TIME magazine. Before his death from AIDS in 1988, Matlovich chose Congressional Cemetery as his final resting place and, with his bold epitaph, used his grave marker as a final act of gay rights advocacy.
Matlovich’s grave became a powerful symbol for many in the LGBTQ+ community. Inspired by his message, many are memorialized near his grave out of a sense of solidarity, including fellow activists Frank Kameny, Barbara Gittings, and Kay Tobin Lahusen. Other LGBTQ+ people are buried throughout Congressional Cemetery. This corner of the cemetery is a lasting and living memorial to equality, courage, and the continuing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. Support provided by Fund for the City of New York on behalf of its fiscally sponsored project, the NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project.
Erected by Fund for the City of New York on behalf of its fiscally sponsored project, the NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Civil Rights.
Location. 38° 52.878′ N, 76° 58.638′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leonard P. Matlovich (a few steps from this marker); Lucy Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Congressional Cemetery Government Lots (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Benjamin Franklin McAlwee (about 400 feet away); Gadsby Vault (about 400 feet away); Levi Casey (about 400 feet away); The Public Vault (about 400 feet away); Dr. William Thornton (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Additional keywords. LGBTQ+
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2026
2. Gay Corner Marker
In Congressional Cemetery.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 11, 2011
3. Leonard Matlovich: A Gay Veteran
"When I was in the Military They Gave Me a Medal for Killing Two Men; And a Discharge for Loving One."
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 24, 2012
4. Gay is Good
Kameny
PFC
US Army
World War II
May 21 1925
Oct 11 2011
Germany
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 22, 2026
5. Barbara Gittings and Kay Tobin Lahusen
Gay Pioneers who spoke truth to Power:
Gay is Good.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2026, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 17, 2026, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
